May 2021 Segment of the Month

May 2021 Segment of the Month

May is here and so is our ‘sprint’ segment for this year’s challenge competition. At just about three quarters of a mile in length and with an average gradient of only 1.7%, you will need to bring fresh legs and a big power effort to place in the points this month.

You approach the segment from the West having travelled along Ashley road from the junction with Winchester road that runs to Kings Somborne.

Taking the first left into Chalk vale, the segment begins a few yards into the lane, beyond the junction. The profile of the segment is relatively simple; a modest false flat that meanders gently left and then right, before settling into a fairly straight run-in.

As you pass the farm building on your right, things gradually steepen with a small increase in gradient as you approach the finish line, which is immediately parallel to the junction on your left with Chalk Hill road.

This all seems very straightforward, but don’t allow the simplicity to fool you. In order to be successful you’ll need to be holding maximum power the entire time and getting out of the saddle for a big push at the end is likely to separate the winners from the also-rans.

The current KoM is set at 1:44 and the QoM is at 2:23, with an expectation both may be at ‘risk’ this month!

For safety reasons it is strongly recommended that you do not approach this segment from the East via the Ashley decent. This involves cutting across oncoming traffic into a relatively blind right hand turn that also passes over a narrowing junction with a lot of loose gravel; both aspects making this a potentially risky manoeuvre.

As always, please keep a sharp eye out for any oncoming traffic, adhere to the rules of the road and whatever the prevailing ‘social distancing’ rules may be at the time.

The link to the segment is here: https://www.strava.com/segments/28255384